The right side of the heart pumps blood out into and through the lungs. The blood returns on the left side of the heart, which pumps the blood out through other parts of the body. The blood returns to the right side of the heart, to start the cycle over.

The electric impulse that initiates each cycle of contraction is provided by the sino-atrial node. The electric impulse that makes blood pump from the ventricles out to the rest of the body is provided by the atrioventricular node.

An artificial pacemaker is a small electronic device that contains an electrical circuitry (pacing leads), a lithium battery, and a pulse generator. The pulse generator of an artificial pacemaker produces an electric impulse of 1 to 10 volts to stimulate regular contractions of the heart muscle.

Pacemaker implantation is a surgery done under local anesthesia and takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.

1.Berg, Linda R., Martin, Diana W., and Solomon, Eldra P. Biology: Sixth Edition. Ed. Nedah Rose. Thomson Learning Inc., 2002, pp. 923 – Crane, Richard H. “Some of the Physics of Cardiac Pacemakers”. How Do Things Work (1983 – 1995). American Association of Physics Teachers., 1996, pp. 41 – Sutton, Caroline. “How Does an Artificial Pacemaker Help a Weak or Damaged Heart?”. How Do They Do That? : Wonders of the Modern World Explained. Ed. Duncan M. Anderson. Hiltown Press Inc., 1981, pp. 28 –